I grew up listening to KISS and AC/DC and would listen to Van Halen on the radio, good old rock music.
When I was about 11, I came across Iron Maiden and really got into them. At 13 I heard Black Sabbath
in particular Tony Iommi. From that very moment, I wanted to play guitar. I said to myself I want to
lay like that. It was the vol 4 album, the song wheels of confusion I loved.
When I was 15 I bought my first guitar from a second hand shop and an onyx guitar and a gorilla amp.
By the time I was 19, I was playing in different bands most nights and when I was 20 I started my own
band doing my own music while still playing with others. I owned a great collection of guitars by then
but found that Ibanez was the guitar that suited me. Also, I gave guitar lessons at a music shop.
I was finding it frustrating playing in Australia as it was hard to be seen and heard playing original music
and also playing heavy metal music. I dreamed of going to America where I could get a break, but that was
out the question no money and no contacts over there anyway. I went to try out for another band that was
going on tour through Australia and New Zealand. Their guitarist left to play with the Australian Institute
of Music. I thought this could be my break.
Unfortunately, they said I was too good to tour with them. They were concerned that another band would
hear me and want me to leave, although I wouldn’t have left the band on a tour. At that point, I was about
26 and got very disheartened and needed to make money so I had to pursue other avenues to make
money and I went on with my other passion of bodybuilding.
I started working as personal trainer in 1999 and have been PT ever since, but still, my main passion is
music and playing guitar, I never really stopped playing although. I didn’t play as much as I used to as I
was busy competing in bodybuilding and as a trainer.
Now it’s time to make a comeback with an opportunity to show just the start of what I can do. I like to think
outside of the box, and be creative and think of things a little differently and play a little differently. There’s
a lot left on the table for me in music and I look forward to getting out there.
This latest album, I played what was needed to tell the story of Humanity Falls.
I hope you enjoy Humanity Falls.
Forever a student of music!
Tony Raciti